Engine-locking device.



G. C. JENSEN.

ENGINE LOCKING DEVICE, APPLICATION FILED 1AN.22. 1917.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

A TTORNE Y3 WITNESS GEORGE C. JENSEN, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ENGINE-LOCKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Application filed January 22, 1917. Serial No. 143,545.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, GEoRoE C. JENSEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine- LockingDevices, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for engines andmore particularly of a mechanism for cooperating with the enginecontrolling valves and which is capable of locking all or certain ofsaid valves from movement, preferably in their raised or liftedposition, thus preventing the compressing of a fuel charge within thecylinders and thereby maintaining the engines inoperative.

The principal objects of the invention are, to provide a lock controlledmechanism which is capable of operative movement to engage the enginevalves and to lock the same to prevent the operation of the engine, onewhich is capable of being locked in its operative position therebypreventing the operation of the engine by its own power, and one whereincertain elements are automatic in their operation of engaging andreleasing from the valves on the actuation of said lock controlledmechanism.

The invention is particularly adapted for use in connection withinternal combustion engines in general, either when used for marinepurposes, vehicles, or for stationary purposes, the main object being toprovide a lock controlled means for preventing the compressing of thegas charge within the cylinders thereby rendering the operation of theengine under its own power impossible.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists, in the novel construction. and combination of partshereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood thatvarious changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofconstruction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of theinvention.

To more fully comprehend the invention, reference is directed to theaccompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure'l is a view in side elevation partly in broken section,illustrating an internal combustion engine with the preferred embodimentof my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on theline 2-201 Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, viewed in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the lock mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the several views of the drawings whereinlike characters of reference designate corresponding parts, 1, indicatesa suitable engine or motor of the internal combustion, type, providedwith the usual inlet and exhaust valves 2 and 3, operated by therespective tappets 4: and 5 actuated by the usual cams 6 and shaft 6.

The tappets operate through guides 7, and extending laterally fromcertain of the guides 7 preferably the guides of the ex haust valves arethe arms or bosses 8. A controlling rod 9 capable of lineal movement, isdisposed longitudinally within the engine between the guides 7 andbosses 8 and the same extends to a suitable controlling station A, andthat portion thereof extending from the en ine is protected by asuitable tubular casing 10, disposed intermediate the station A and thepoint where the rod leaves the engine as in Fig. 1.

The tappets 5 associated with the valves 3 are each provided adjacenttheir upper end with an annular groove or seat 11, the upper surface ofwhich is adapted to lie slightly above the upper end of the guides 7when the tappets are in their raised position. Cooperating with eachgrooved tappet is a suitable locking plate 12 each pivotally secured atits outer end to one of the bosses 8 by a suitable screw or otherfulcrum member 13. The free ends of the plates 12 are hooked as at 14and are each formed with a recess 15 which is of a sufficient size toadmit of the edge thereof to be received in the annular groove or seat11 when the plates are pivoted on their fulcrum in a hereinafterdescribed manner.

The plates 12 are, each formed with an upwardly bent or stamped portion16 providing a chamber 17 extending longitudinally over the control-lingrod 9, and in each of said chambers are positioned the sprlngs 18 thetongues 20, one extending upwardly into each chamber 17 between theadjacent ends of the springs 18 and 19 as in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The lineal movement of the rod 9 inwardly relative to the engine 1,causes the tongues to exert pressure on the springs 19, which in'turnforce the locking plates 12 into frictional contact with theirrespective tappets 5, and on the upward movement of the tappets to raisetheir cooperative valves, the tension of the respective springs 19 issufficient to force the locking plates into engagenient with the grooves11 thereby retaining the exhaust valves in their raised position andpreventing the compressing of the gas charge in the cylinders, thusrendering the engine inoperative. An outward lineal movement of the rodreleases the compression of the springs 19 and compresses the springs18, the tension of which is sufficient to remove the locking plates 12from their tappets 5 on the next slight upward movement of the same,thus permitting the gas charge' to be compressed within the cylindersthereby enabling the engine to operate under its own power. The groovesor sects 11 are of a width slightly in excess of the thicknes of theplates 12 and are so disposed as to permit of a very limited upwardmovement of the tappets by the cooperating' cams when the plates 12 arein operative or looking position.

The outer end of the controlling rod is preferably circular in crosssection as at 20, as in Fig. 4 of the drawings and projects through asuitable casting or housing 21 positioned at the operating station A andthe outer end of said rod terminates preferably in a suitable handle21'. The portion 20 of the rod is provided with a suitable flange 22operating in a chamber 23 in the housing and said flange limits theoutward movement of the rod through contact with the outer wall 24 ofthe chamber. A suitable spring 25 surrounding the portion 20 of the rodis interposed between a wall 25 and the flange 22 and is of sufficienttension to overcome the combined tension of the springs 18 so that therod will normally lie in operativ or neutral position as in Fig. 4.

A suitable rotatably mounted key controlled locking barrel 26 ispositioned in the bore 27 extending angularlv from the chamber 23, andthe lower end thereof is beveled as at 28 to admit of the passing of theflange 22 beneath the same when the rod 9 is manually moved its fulldistance inwardly. The rotation of the barrel 26 when the rod 9 is movedinwardly its full distance causes the lower end of said barrel to lie incontact with the beveled upper surface 29 of the flange'22, thus lockingthe rod in its operative position, the barrel being held in lockedposition by the usual key controlled tumblers 30. While I haveillustrated a key controlled lock, it is to be understood that anysuitable type of lock may be employed. A manually releasable catch 31pivoted as at 32 to the outer wall 24 of the mounting 21 utomaticallydrops into a notch 38 in the upper surface ofthe portion 20 adjacent thehandle 21' and retains the rod in its in nermost position whilethe-barrel is being operated either to lock the rod or to permit therelease of the same on the actuation of the catch.

The locking plates 12 are preferably protected by the usual valve springcover plates, not shown, which are fitted over the side wall of theengine and said cover plates if desirable, may be locked in any suitablemanner when in position, or the locking-plates 12 and portion 9 of therod may be built into the engine at the lower end of the valve tappetswhen the engine is manufactured, it only being essential that the plates12 be prevented from being released by other means than throughcontrolling springs and actuation of the rod 9. i

It is apparent that the action of thesprings 18 and 19 due to thetension placed thereon by the lineal movement of the rod 9 controls theaction of the locking plates 12 in locking tappets in their raised orinoperative position or in releasing the plates from the tappets topermit the operation of the engme.

It will also be understood that the rod 9 may be actuated while theengine is running and as the exhaust valvesraise or lift the same willbe automatically engaged and retained in their upper or inoperativeposition.

Having thus described my invention. What Ilclaim is, I

. 1. ln 'co'mbination with an internal combustion engine having theusual mechanically operated valves controlling the engine inlet andexhaust openings, of lock controlled mechanism for cooperating with saidexhaust valves and adapted when in operative position to lock saidexhaust valves 1n open positlon.

2. In combination with an engine having 3. In combination with aninternal combustion engine having the usual mechanically operated inletand exhaust valves of the puppet type, of lock controlled mechanism forcooperating with said exhaust valves-and adapted when in operativeposition to lock said exhaust valves from movement.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine having the usualmechanically operated inlet andexhaust valves of the puppet type, oflock controlled mechanism for cooperating with said exhaust valves andadapted when in operative position to lock said exhaust valves in theiropen position.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine having the usualmechanically o erated inlet and exhaust valves, devices or cooperatingwith the same and adapted when in operative position to lock certain ofsaid valves from movement, and lock controlled mechanism cooperatingwith said devices for retaining the same in their operative position.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine having inlet andexhaust valves, devices for cooperating with the same, and adapted whenin operative osition for locking certain of said valves rom movement,yieldable mechanism cooperating with said devices and adapted formovement to exert pressure thereon to cause the same to move from orinto operative position, and lock controlled means for preventing theoperation of said mechanism.

7. In combination with an internal combustion engine having the usualinlet and exhaust valves mechanically operated during the operation ofthe motor, lock controlled means cooperating with certain of said valvesand capable of locking the same in their open position to prevent thecompressing of a fuel charge within the engine cylinders therebyrendering the engine inoperative.

8. In combination with an internal combustion engine having inlet andexhaust valves, devices adapted when in operativeposition for lockingcertain of said valves from movement, lock controlled means 'foroperating said devices, said lock controlled means capable of operationto permit the automatic engagement or release of said device relative tosaid valves during their movement.

9. In combination with an internal combustion engine having inlet andexhaust valves, locking devices capable of movement to engage with saidexhaust valves to lock the same in their raised osition relative to theseat, a lock controlle controlling means for said devices, and ayielding connection intermediate said controlling means and saiddevices.

10. In combination .with an internal combustion engine having inlet andexhaust valves, a pivotally mounted locking member associated with saidexhaust valves, and

of said rod, and means for locking said rod from movement when saidLocking member is in operative position.

11. In combination with an internal combustion engine having inlet andexhaust valves, a pivotally mounted locking member associated with saidexhaust valves, and adapted when in operative position for cooperatingwith said valves to retain the same in an unseated position, anoperating rod for actuating said locking member and capable of movementin two directions, spring tension means interposed between said rod andsaid locking member whereby said member is rendered automatic in itsmovement from or into operative position, dependent upon the directionof operation of said rod, means for locking said rod from movement whensaid member is in operative position and means for automaticallyoperating said rod to enable the release of said locking member on therelease of said looking means.

12. An apparatus for rendering an internal combustion engine inoperativeunder its own power, the same comprising a manually operated lockcontrolled member for engaging the engine exhaust valve during itsmovement and retaining the same locked from movement when removed fromits seat.

13. An apparatus for rendering an internal combustion engine inoperativeunder its own power, the same comprising a device for engaging one ofthe engine valves during its operation and adapted when in engagementtherewith to interrupt the operation of the same, and lock controlledmeans for controlling the operation of said device.

14. An apparatus for rendering an internal combustion engine inoperativeunder its own power through the locking of the valves, the samecomprising a locking plate pivoted to swing on a vertical axis, aprojection formed on one of the engine valves and beneath which the saidplate is adapted to be received, a manually operated controlling rodassociated with said plate, and a yieldable connection between said rodand plate, said connection adapted on the operation of said controllingrod to exert pressure on the said plate and cause the same to liebeneath said projection on the alining of the same With the uppersurface of said plate.

15. An apparatus for rendering an internal combustion engine inoperativeunder its own power through the locking of the valves, the samecomprising a locking plate pivoted to swing on a vertical axis, aprojection formed on one of the engine valves and beneath which the saidplate is adapted to be received, a manually operated controlling rodassociated with said plate, a yieldable connection between said rod andplate, said connection adapted on the operation of said controlling rodto exert pressure on the said plate and cause the same to lie beneathsaid projection on the alining of the same with the upper surface ofsaid plate, and means for retaining said rod in locked position on theexertion of the pressure on said plate.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE c. JENSEN.

Witnesses:

HARRY H. To'r'rEN, D. B. RICHARDS.

